Abstract
The study was undertaken to investigate the conceptions of Brazilian Basic Education (Elementary and High School) Students about food nutrients, food pyramids, processed food labels and nutrition facts tables. The research involved groups from sixth to ninth grades of Elementary School and first to third grades of High School in a public school from Paraná State, Brazil. In this study, 257 students, aged 11 - 17 years old, took part. For the identification of conceptions, group activities were performed using food pyramids, processed food labels and nutrition facts tables, aiming the analysis of their nutritional composition by students. Analysis showed students do not show satisfactory and coherent conceptions about food nutrients, and many students were not able to distinguish nutrients from food. In this sense, we highlight the need of Food Nutrition programs to endorse and include initiatives for students, regarding the positive comprehension of nutrients and their benefits to the body, besides healthy eating habits.
Highlights
Food education takes part as an integral component on Brazilian curricular proposals
The study was undertaken to investigate the conceptions of Brazilian Basic Education (Elementary and High School) Students about food nutrients, food pyramids, processed food labels and nutrition facts tables
Based on common diseases observed among young students as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension, food education is shown to be a significant subject, as listed by Oliveira & Fisberg (2003), genetic code and metabolism can influence in some cases; unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle, consisting on food and drinks high in fat and/or sugar, and the lack of physical exercise, are responsible for the increase of such diseases in this group
Summary
Food education takes part as an integral component on Brazilian curricular proposals. Educational documents emphasize knowledge regarding nutrition and eating habits based on Brazilian National Education Guidelines and Framework Law (Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação—LDB) from 1996. Based on common diseases observed among young students as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension, food education is shown to be a significant subject, as listed by Oliveira & Fisberg (2003), genetic code and metabolism can influence in some cases; unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle, consisting on food and drinks high in fat and/or sugar, and the lack of physical exercise, are responsible for the increase of such diseases in this group. As pointed out by Oliveira & Luz (2008), World Health Organization (WHO) considers obesity and hypertension as current public health issues, tending to become a risk factor for fatal outcomes. The issue has been a major challenge for public policy of the country (Coutinho et al, 2008)
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